By GARRY RAYNO, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD — The House Minority Leader said his caucus will put science above ceremony with public health as the top priority, which prompted many Democratic House members to skip Organization Day in Durham today (Wednesday.)
They were concerned that some members of the Republican caucus were exposed to COVID-19 at a meeting last month in Manchester with at least three members testing positive for the virus.
Minority Leader Renny Cushing, D-Hampton, said some members are concerned the person they may be sitting next to has been exposed and they do not want to turn the event into a super-spreader by going back home and exposing family members and other members of the community.
Many of the Democratic caucus will instead attend a remote swearing in ceremony Thursday.
“Over the last nine months, we have asked the people of New Hampshire to make sacrifices . . . to combat our common enemy the pandemic,” Cushing said. “A number of state Reps do not feel (they can) go to an event, refuse to wear a mask, refuse to comply with the public health guidelines issued by the governor, public health officials and the CDC and put everyone at risk.”
Cushing said he is also disappointed Republicans plan to break with past practices on Organization Day and will change the rules to allow guns in the State House and other facilities and remove the requirement for sexual harassment prevention training.
“It’s an abomination. We will not win that fight today,” Cushing said, “but we will be fighting over the next weeks, months and years to make it a safe workplace for legislators, legislative staff, and members of the public.”
Rep. Jeff Salloway, D-Lee, a former University of New Hampshire epidemiology professor, outlined the possibility of exposure to COVID-19 at today’s Organization Day event, which will be held outdoors.
He asked his Republican and Democratic colleagues not to take potential exposure back to their spouse, elderly parent or grandparents or child.
“People who show up are at high risk of having created their own exposure,” Salloway said. “I fear gravely we will have a spike from folks coming today.”
Cushing said he would not want to see the Legislative Office Building used for hearings, as has been proposed by expected House Speaker Dick Hinch, R-Merrimack, because there is no system to change the building’s air.
“I oppose any effort to put staff members or the public or legislators to work in a sick building,” Cushing said.
He said his caucus will stand with science and public health and public safety.
“No one should die as a state legislature when that can be avoided,” Cushing said.
Organization Day is for the Senate and House members to be sworn in by the Governor and Executive Council, to pick its leaders, Secretary of State, State Treasurer and other legislative officials.
Garry Rayno may be reached at garry.rayno@yahoo.com.
